Dolphin Tale 4

Chapter [3]

Sawyer stood up and climbed out of the pool.

“Where are you going?”

Sawyer paused, but didn’t turn around to face Lacie. “I just realised that there’s something I have to do. Sorry.”

Lacie frowned. “Aren’t you going to supervise me, at least?”

Sawyer shook his head. “No. I’ve got to go and do something else.”

Lacie climbed out of the pool and ran up to Sawyer. “Wait, you said you had time to watch me swim with Winter and Hope. Where did that time go?”

Sawyer stared at Lacie. “Why do you want me to swim with you? Nobody has ever asked me to do that. Nobody except Hazel.”

Lacie laughed. “It was just a friendly thing. I’m not trying to take Hazel’s position. She’s a really lucky girl to have something as special as your love. I’m happy for you. It was just meant to be a friendly suggestion, nothing deep and meaningful.”

Sawyer sighed. “Sorry, Lacie. I just over-reacted. But I really do have to do something else. I’m sorry, but I’ve got to go.”

“Where are you going? I’ll come with you.”

Sawyer looked into her hopeful blue eyes and sighed. “Sorry, Lacie. It’s a staff meeting; only staff are allowed.”

“I’m as good as1” Lacie said indignantly.

Sawyer shook his head. “Not yet. Now, if you’ll please excuse me. I’d rather not be late.” He walked off, thinking. Why had Lacie’s words had such a big impact on him? He loved Hazel, so why did Lacie make him feel so… strange?

***

“This meeting is adjourned until next week. You are now free to go.”

There was a shuffling of papers and a scraping of chairs as everyone stood to leave.

“Phoebe, can I talk to you for a minute?”

Phoebe looked up from the files she had been stacking into a pile. “Sure. What about?”

Sawyer sighed. “This might seem a bit weird… but I want to talk to you about love.”

Phoebe leaned back into her chair and gazed thoughtfully at Sawyer. “This is about Hazel, isn’t it? Well, I’m not sure if I’m the right person to talk to, Sawyer. Maybe you should try your mother.”

“I rarely see my mother, Phoebe. She’s always at work whenever I get home. And how did you know that it was about Hazel?”

Phoebe sighed. “I just knew. But what did you want to say about Hazel?”

“I love her. I love Hazel.”

Phoebe smiled. “I know you do. You two make a great couple. But, keep going.”

“I love Hazel… I miss her so much. I just wish she was here with me. But, today something happened that made me confused. Lacie… I don’t know what it is, but she makes my heart seize up whenever I see her smile. She’s so much like Hazel. She even looks similar to Hazel. I just…”

Phoebe watched as Sawyer sank into a chair. “Do you like Lacie?”

Sawyer sighed. “As a friend, yes.”

“As in, love?”

Sawyer bit his lip. “I don’t know. I’ve only known her for a few days, but the impact she’s had on me in those few days is just… I don’t know how to describe it.”

“Are you falling for her?”

Sawyer swallowed. “I honestly don’t know. I like her because she’s different. She’s smart, funny and, well, she’s beautiful, just like Hazel. She’s also a bit of a mystery to me. She’s not really an open book; she’s not easy to read. I fell for Hazel the first time I saw her. I just don’t know why Lacie makes me so…”

“So you’re confused?”

Sawyer nodded. “Yeah. I love Hazel, I really do, but Lacie’s just… I don’t know what to make of her. Yeah, she’s a great person and everything, but I just can’t imagine betraying Hazel and falling for her.”

Phoebe sighed. “Neither can I. Maybe you just need to think things through. I can have Kat train Lacie if that would make you feel better. You won’t have to see her for a while. Would that be better, perhaps?”

Sawyer ran a hand through his hair. “I need Lacie, though. Ever since Hazel left, my heart has been shattered. I didn’t realise it until yesterday, but I think that Lacie has helped to fix my heart, even if it’s only temporary. Is that a bad thing, to let some stranger fix your heart? Does it mean that you love them?”

Phoebe leant forward in her chair and clasped her hands together. “It depends on you, Sawyer. I can’t really help you; I’ve never really experienced love before. You really should talk to your mother; I can call her if you wish.”

Sawyer shook his head. “No. You’re right. It is up to me. Thanks, Phoebe, for the help.”

“You’re welcome, Sawyer. Just remember that if you ever need someone to talk to, I’m always here for you.”

Sawyer stood up and nodded. “Thanks, Phoebe. I really appreciate it.”

Phoebe watched as Sawyer left. She sighed before continuing to stack the files into a pile.

***

“Hey.”

Sawyer looked up and sighed when he saw Lacie. “I suppose you’re here for you training session.”

Lacie nodded slowly. “Yes. Has it been cancelled, or something?”

Sawyer shook his head. “No, I just thought we’d go down to the dock instead.”

Lacie frowned. “Why?”

“I just want to talk to you about a few things.”

“And we can’t talk here?”

Sawyer stood and shook his head. “I’d rather be by the sea when we talk. That way, my words may be carried by the wind so that Hazel can possibly hear them. Or they’ll be carried through the waves. Or they’ll just get lost in the sound of the waves crashing onto the shore. Come on.”

Lacie stared after Sawyer, confused. “Wait, you want to go to the dock and speak there because you think that Hazel might be able to hear you?”

Sawyer turned and nodded. “Yes. It’s worth a shot. I miss her so much. I want to hear her voice again, and if she hears mine, she might just reply. Her reply might be carried back to me on the wind, or on the wings of a bird. Then, I’d be able to hear her beautiful voice again.”

Lacie blinked. “Oh.” There had been something she had wanted to say to Sawyer, but if there was a chance that Hazel would hear it, she would have to save it for later.